Sister Wives

[eh24fan]

I thought it was $1million per episode for Friends???

I watched SW last night and all I could think is that Mariah seriously needs to grow up...between her previous whining about wanting her mom to have another baby (REALLY???) and then last night's drama and whining over not being in the house by Christmas I just wanted to pluck both her Mariah AND Meri. It's ridiculous. Everyone else did their paperwork on time, that's why they have their houses and you don't. And in the grand scheme of things, does it matter???

There was a lot of talk about the times when they no longer wanted to be a part of plural marriage on the couch interviews last night. I think Janelle has gotten very used to be independent but at the same time welcomes the help of the SWs with her kids when they are living closer. Janelle is the kind of mom that is a better mom when she is working and out of the house. I am the same way. Robyn is still a dreamer and has this idea that they should all work together, live together and do it all together, as long as she gets her alone time with Kody too. Christine really loves being a mom and I think she is the best at being "the mom." Meri -- I think she needs a job or something. She was going to school when they lived in Utah. Did she finish? Why not get out there and DO something now that your daughter is grown?

 

[lovetoscrap]

Merry and Mariah are so whiny! The reason YOU are not in YOUR house (boohoo boohoo) is because YOU drove the developer crazy going in every day and changing things, getting in the way, slowing down building, and did not turn your paper work in on time. Merry is a nuisance a lot. Now her daughter is following in her footsteps with the whining and drama.

.

Just finished watching the last episode (I have to sneak it in when DH and the kids aren't around!)

Maybe it is all in the editing and the things they aren't showing us but Mona told Meri definitively that she would NOT be in the house by Christmas (because of her own actions) but she spent the rest of the episode acting like maybe she would. Saying they are in limbo and seemed to still think there was a chance. And then she does all of that angst in front of Moriah. She knew she wouldn't be in by Christmas-- that is the time to put on your big girl panties and put on a happy face and make the best of it. And didn't she get the biggest and best rental house too?

I know the show was edited to focus on the drama of getting the houses but even without editing it sure seemed like the parents were putting too much focus on the houses. They were so negative about the rentals and how they just can't be a family and their lives on hold until they own their homes and it has to be by Christmas. Even if it was only a few statements the kids pick up on that and it affects them. I really can't believe that the kids- especially Moriah- would have cared as much as they seem to. As long as they all spent Christmas together in one of the rentals the kids would have been perfectly happy.

 

[mhsjax]

Another thing about Duck Dynasty is, I think the merchandising, etc. came after the show became popular. People watch DD, they like the guys, and the popularity grew organically. Whereas Sister Wives gets its popularity more from the "train wreck" factor than from people relating to them or wanting to be like them. Also, it's quite a stretch from buying a DD t-shirt in Wal-Mart--if you tire of the show, you can wear the shirt to paint your house, you only invested $10. But Sister Wives jewelry is a more expensive, less versatile purchase.

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled thread...

Also another big difference, the family from Duck Dynasty was LOADED before the show even started. Now they are even richer.

 

[lovetoscrap]

And even if all of them were in their houses by Christmas wouldn't they spend Christmas together in ONE of the houses? Surely even if everyone didn't, Meri and Moriah would probably go to one of the other houses (Robin's!) to spend the day. So why does it matter if they are there by Christmas? It isn't like Moriah needs the magical experience of waking up Christmas morning to see what Santa left her under the tree! I am sure she and Meri would wake up, shower, dress and hurry over to Robin's, or which ever house had been designated the place to spend the day.

Meri needs a job!

 

[chobie]

I only started watching this show to fill the void when "Big Love" ended. These people have become more and more nauseating as the show continues. I can't stand Merri, I think she's mean. I think she never was onboard with the plural marriage but consented, anyway. I think she arranged the Robyn marriage just to mess with Christine and Jeannell. I bet she ends up divorcing as soon as the show runs its course.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

The first season was "okay" in the sense that in watching it we all got a glimpse of what plural marriage is all about for one family.

After that it just turned into a weekly whinefest and made up drama.

and I keep watching.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

Also, why were they keeping their old house?
Wouldn't that have been a source of equity to help pay for the new homes?

I don't get it. The old house was sitting empty for two years?

 

[skatalite]

With most mid-level reality shows, the "stars" get paid a combined 10 percent of the show's entire budget. So if an episode of "Sister Wives" costs $1 million to produce, then the family gets $100,000.

I have no idea what the show's budget is, however.

 

[HannaBelle]

Also, why were they keeping their old house?
Wouldn't that have been a source of equity to help pay for the new homes?

I don't get it. The old house was sitting empty for two years?

At one point I think Meri's sister's family was living there? I totally agree about the equity though, it makes no sense not to sell it.

I too started watching the show because I thought it was interesting to see a different lifestyle, but it was a lot like Jon and Kate Plus 8. It started out one way and has now completely changed.

 

[yoopermom]

It's like a trainwreck, I don't know why I keep watching, but I do...

If I were one of the "other" wives, I'd be pretty ticked at Cody for taking the time to run his stepkids all the way to MT right in the midst of closing/moving. Why couldn't whiny Robyn take them herself?

Speaking of whom, guess what Robyn, just because you change your last name to match doesn't mean that you're actually now legally married to Cody!

I think Janelle should date her workout coach, they seem to have a better relationship than she and Cody do. (The way Cody tries to justify their marriage really creeps me out...)

The contractor hit the nail right on the head with the way that Cody interacts with each of the wives.

And these wives are acting more in love with their houses than they would be with a man, what is UP with that?!? (Whichever PP said that the houses look cheaply made was right on, did you notice when they opened the kitchen cabinet how chintzy it looked?)

Terri

 

[mom2rtk]

And these wives are acting more in love with their houses than they would be with a man, what is UP with that?!?

 

[willowsnn3]

I couldn't find anything regarding how much they are actually paid. It isn't public record but there is some info that says that everyone over 15 makes $75k per episode with the younger children also getting paid something if they appear on screen.

Well, that's probably why Robin was so insistant on her kids seeing the house before they left for their trip, lol. I always wondered why the older teens didn't get a pt time job or something.

They seem to own a lot of cars. Wonder how much they pay in auto insurance...

If I'm not mistaken, I think Kody used to be employed in some kind of advertising field, Janell was like an accountant & Meri did have a job but got let go once her lifestyle was made public. Something along the lines of counseling teenagers????

 

[KiKi Mouse]

It's like a trainwreck, I don't know why I keep watching, but I do...

If I were one of the "other" wives, I'd be pretty ticked at Cody for taking the time to run his stepkids all the way to MT right in the midst of closing/moving. Why couldn't whiny Robyn take them herself?

Speaking of whom, guess what Robyn, just because you change your last name to match doesn't mean that you're actually now legally married to Cody!

I think Janelle should date her workout coach, they seem to have a better relationship than she and Cody do. (The way Cody tries to justify their marriage really creeps me out...)

The contractor hit the nail right on the head with the way that Cody interacts with each of the wives.

And these wives are acting more in love with their houses than they would be with a man, what is UP with that?!? (Whichever PP said that the houses look cheaply made was right on, did you notice when they opened the kitchen cabinet how chintzy it looked?)

Terri

I loved their big romantic "date" where they went bed shopping. I don't get that relationship at all.

 

[yoopermom]

I loved their big romantic "date" where they went bed shopping. I don't get that relationship at all.

Actually I "kind of" get it in that she's the only seemingly intelligent one out of the bunch, and they seem like really good friends. Maybe she wanted to have kids and couldn't find a DH, so he "volunteered" if she would agree to be his wife and be another breadwinner (since god only knows the other three aren't go getters...).

Terri

 

[dakcp2001]

I do agree that Janelle should date her workout coach! Dump Kody! I think the only wife he seems to have a romantic relationship with is Robin. Merri is old hat, Christine is the Mom, Janelle the business and breadwinner. I really like Janelle the best and Christine next.

As someone who grew up without much in the way of family, it was nice to see them all together opening gifts and the kids being friends. It made me wish for a big family to have a nice Christmas. I don't get the sister wife thing, I think it means all of them just push down their real feelings and try to convince themselves that they don't mind their husband being with all the other woman when in fact, I am sure it bothers them all on some level. The companionship must be nice, like friends, but with an underlying tone of jealousy. Meri should not be counseling anyone, she could probably benefit from some for herself.

 

[VickiVM]

I do agree that Janelle should date her workout coach! Dump Kody! I think the only wife he seems to have a romantic relationship with is Robin. Merri is old hat, Christine is the Mom, Janelle the business and breadwinner. I really like Janelle the best and Christine next.

As someone who grew up without much in the way of family, it was nice to see them all together opening gifts and the kids being friends. It made me wish for a big family to have a nice Christmas. I don't get the sister wife thing, I think it means all of them just push down their real feelings and try to convince themselves that they don't mind their husband being with all the other woman when in fact, I am sure it bothers them all on some level. The companionship must be nice, like friends, but with an underlying tone of jealousy. Meri should not be counseling anyone, she could probably benefit from some for herself.

The group goes on and on about how WONDERFUL their lives are with this arrangement as though no one else on the planet earth has deep and meaningful relationships within their own families.

In my opinion, they are all very self-absorbed and this arrangement contributes to it.

 

[yoopermom]

I think it means all of them just push down their real feelings and try to convince themselves that they don't mind their husband being with all the other woman when in fact, I am sure it bothers them all on some level. The companionship must be nice, like friends, but with an underlying tone of jealousy.

I notice that when are all together Cody will just give the other 3 wives a quick peck on the lips, but Robyn gets a more lingering kiss and they just glow at each other like kids on a first date. That would be enough to drive anyone to jealousy, especially since she's younger/prettier/fertile/"obedient"!

Terri

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

It's like a trainwreck, I don't know why I keep watching, but I do...

If I were one of the "other" wives, I'd be pretty ticked at Cody for taking the time to run his stepkids all the way to MT right in the midst of closing/moving. Why couldn't whiny Robyn take them herself?

Speaking of whom, guess what Robyn, just because you change your last name to match doesn't mean that you're actually now legally married to Cody!

I think Janelle should date her workout coach, they seem to have a better relationship than she and Cody do. (The way Cody tries to justify their marriage really creeps me out...)

The contractor hit the nail right on the head with the way that Cody interacts with each of the wives.

And these wives are acting more in love with their houses than they would be with a man, what is UP with that?!? (Whichever PP said that the houses look cheaply made was right on, did you notice when they opened the kitchen cabinet how chintzy it looked?)

Terri

That would be me and YES I did notice the inside of the cabenets too. They were not even wood but here too I am thinking pressed board with a veneer.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Well, that's probably why Robin was so insistant on her kids seeing the house before they left for their trip, lol. I always wondered why the older teens didn't get a pt time job or something.

They seem to own a lot of cars. Wonder how much they pay in auto insurance...

If I'm not mistaken, I think Kody used to be employed in some kind of advertising field, Janell was like an accountant & Meri did have a job but got let go once her lifestyle was made public. Something along the lines of counseling teenagers????

No I do not think that was it because she made a comment about how Janelle was a professional and I got the feeling she was a cashier or something in a store.

 

[lucas]

Actually I "kind of" get it in that she's the only seemingly intelligent one out of the bunch, and they seem like really good friends. Maybe she wanted to have kids and couldn't find a DH, so he "volunteered" if she would agree to be his wife and be another breadwinner (since god only knows the other three aren't go getters...).

Terri

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Wives
Meri, Robyn, and Christine were all raised in polygamist families, but Janelle was not. Months before the marriage of Janelle and Kody, however, Janelle's mother entered into a polygamist marriage with Kody's father.

Some other interesting info that I just found on another site (don't know if true or not) they have all filed for bankruptcy and Christine has been on food stamps.

And, on a sister wives blog, I found this about Meri's job:
"At one point, I don't know if it was on an episode or on an interview, it was said that she was let go from her job (I don't know the exact words used as far as "fired", "let go" or what), the reason was not the polygamy but the attention from the show. It was alluded/implied that the anonymity of her agency's clients would be at risk due to the media attention. It was my understanding that she worked with some sort of agency/counseling center that provided some sort of counseling/mental health services."

Whew! Google is your friend!